Jannik Sinner (front) served in the night session at Roland Garros on Monday. © ANSA / TERESA SUAREZ

Harsh criticism in Paris: Why Sinner and not the women?

Spotlights on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the main stadium in Paris. Tennis matches lasting several hours. A lot of spectacle. A big show. But it's precisely this evening's entertainment that's now causing loud debate at the French Open.

29 May 2025

From: dpa/sn

Gael Monfils is the king of the night at Roland Garros. On Tuesday, the French crowd favorite defeated Bolivian Hugo Dellien in five sets, recovering from a two-set deficit.

The spectators celebrated the tennis entertainer with a standing ovation and are happy that Monfils will be playing again this Thursday evening. His second-round match against Briton Jack Draper (20.15:XNUMX p.m.) is the highlight of the fifth day of the tournament.

Gael Monfils offers the best evening entertainment in Paris so far. © ANSA / CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

At least, that's how the organizers, led by tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, see it. This is the fifth night event at Stade Roland Garros this year – and for the fifth time, two men will face off. This is once again causing controversy.

That's why women rarely play in the evening

"Whoever makes the decision, I don't think he has daughters because I don't think he wants to treat his daughters like that," said Tunisian star Ons Jabeur.

“They should have been put there.” Hon Jabeur

There are enough good players who deserve to play on this stage, Jabeur said. "One of the matches was Naomi Osaka against Paula Badosa. Such an incredible match. They should have been scheduled there." But instead, Jannik Sinner and Arthur Rinderknech played on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday evening. Incidentally, Sinner will play his second-round match against local favorite Richard Gasquet this Thursday as an afternoon match.

Naomi Osaka (l.) and Paula Badosa (r.) delivered a terrific duel. It was played in the afternoon. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Since the introduction of the night session in Paris, there have been 45 matches in the evening – only four of which were women's matches. Gilles Moretton, the president of the French Tennis Federation, now added fuel to the fire. You just play what interests the spectators, the Frenchman said succinctly – and received a lot of criticism for it.

This is how others do it

One problem is that in Paris, unlike the night sessions in New York, Melbourne, or Rome, only one match is scheduled for the evening. There, there are two matches – a men's match and a women's match. Problem solved.

The organizers in Paris are concerned that a women's match, which, unlike the men's, is only played over two sets, could end too quickly. This would cause dissatisfaction among spectators, who pay a lot of money for tickets that evening. However, the organizers aren't confident in scheduling two matches, as an 20.15:XNUMX p.m. start would be too late.